Shuttle-changing mechanism for looms



Gf cRoMPToN, JR

SHUTTLE CHANGING MECHANISM FOR LOOMS Filed Oct. 3, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet l ITwentar:

e Cram gong May 5,1925.

G. cMP-rQN m SHUTTLE CHANGING MECHANISM FOR LOQMS 5 shetssheet 2 Filed 0G11. Z5, 192] May 5, 1925. 1,537,006

G. CROMPTON, JR

SHUTTLE CHANGING MECHANISM FOR LOOKS Filed Oct. 3, 1921 3 'Sheets-Sheet 5 Y Inveniar: 1&1 G

Patented May 5, 1925.

i UNITI-:n s TATES] APA'reni'"loi-'Flea yJIPRAT'I, OF XXTQRCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

snn'r'rLn-QHANGING"MECHANISM non Looms.

Application ledpctober 3, 19.21.V ySerial No. 504,869. .y

To all whom t may conceive.'

yBe yit known that l, Gnonen GnoMrToN, Jr., a citizen of the United States, resi dingl at lVoi'cester, in the county of VV-orcester l and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement inv Shuttle-Changing Mechanism yfor Looms,-of which the following, together withthe accompanying drawings, is -a specification. My invention relates to shuttle changing mechanism for looms, particularly ofthe solcalled f narrow ware type in which a plurality of spaced shuttles are adaptedeto kbe driven back and forth in unison lwith respect to a plurality ofspaced groupsof warp threads' in order to ,simultaneously weave va number of separate strips of narrow fabric, such for example, as tape or' ribbon.

In most ofthe looms of :this type, as heretofore constructed, it' is ,necessary for a loom operator to stop the loom 'every time itfisk necessary to change a shuttle orquill, `following the exhaustion of vthe filling therein, and since/such changes have to be made at frequent intervals, they vcause considerable loss of time, with 'consequent reduction `in the output ofthe loom. `l an'iaware that it has been heretoforepro- `posed to provide shuttle changing mechas msm for looms; of -this-."type whereby it is possible for the operator to changea shuttle without interrupting the operation. of theA loom, but in so far asl am awa-re, all ofsuc-h f i proposed mechanisms have beenopen to the objection thatk they require the .application of considerable physical effort on the part. of the opera-tor to eifect the shuttle changes, and furthern'iore, have failed to provide suitable means for placing fresh shuttles-in poi1 sition to be acted upon by the changing mechanism without interrupting `:the operation of the loom. Such prior mechanisms have alsol operated so that all the shuttles are changed at once. 'K

Oneiobject; ofthe present invention is to provide an improved shuttle changing' mechanism for looms of the above described' type by means of which the shuttles may be on any desired piel; of the loom, and without interrupting the'opera-tion of thesame,

changed, either individually or collectively,

rmechanism being. derived entirely from the movement of the lay. lMy improved mechanismalso provides means for changing only on-e half of all the shuttles onthe loom at one time, thereby allowing' the operator to divide his time between several looms to the best advantage, Lvention are to` provide `iniproved shuttle holding devices 'which permit fresh shuttles to'be positioned above the active shuttles `while the loom `is operating, and improved meansfor positioning the active shuttles with `respect to the fresh shuttles prior to the operation of the shuttle changing .mechanism These and other advantageous features of my invention will hereinafter morel fully appear, reference being had to -the" accompanying drawings in whichy Fig. l is a view in front elevation of a portion of the lay `of a loom 'embodying my invention. j v

2 is a transverse sectionalview along the line 2, 2 of Fig.'l. l f

` F ig. 8 is a plan view ofa portion of the shuttle holder shownin Fig. l, `with a shuttle in position therein.

Fig. 4 `is aplanfview of a portion of the shuttle carrier shown in Fig. l, witha shuttle in position therein; f

Fito'. '5 is a sectional view 5 vin Fig'. 4.

Other objects of my ini t alone' Athe line v5 cV a 'Fig'. 6 is a -view in rear elevation of a'.

portion of my improved shuttle.

Fig. -7 is aview in -rear elevation showinwl c ona'n enlarged scale, thedevice for positionc ing; the shuttle carrier shown in Fig.' 1.

F ig, 8 is a transverse sectionalview alongthe line. 8, 8 of Fig. 7.

Fig; 9 isa view infront elevation showing a portion of the breast beam of a loom, together with ya. number of the shut-tle changing .mechanisms shown yin. Fig'. 1.

Fig'. l() .is a transverse sectional view, on an `enlanged scale, along the line l0, l0 'in Fig. 9. Y

Fig. 1l is a'diagram'matic view showing the mode of` operation of the shuttle changing` mechanism shown in Figs'. 1,2, 9 and 10.

Fig. lis a transverse sectionalview, similar to Fig'. 2, showing` a modification of the shuttle changing' mechanism.

yFig. 13 is a view partially in section and lUt) partially in side elevation showing a portion of the parts of Fig. 12, on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view along the line 14, 14 in Fig. 12, looking` in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the details of an arrangement for operating` the shuttle changing mechanism shown in Fig. 12.

Fig. 16 is a. plan view of the parts shown in Fig'. 15.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged view in side elevation showing details of the parts shown in Fig. 15.

Figs. 18 and 19 are diagranunatic views illustrating` the operation of the mechanism shown in Figs. 12. 15 and 1G.

Fig. 20 is a sectional view of a portion of the parts of Fig. 12, showing a mechanism for positioning the shuttle carrier.

Fig. 21 is a view in rear elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 20.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the dilferent figures.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 a portion of the lay of a loom is indicated at 1 and is provided with a slot 2 within which is located a toothed rack 3 that is adapted to be reciprocated back and forth by any suitable means, not shown. A race block 4 is carried on the lay 1 above the rack 3 and a toothed pinion 5 is rotatably mounted at each end of the blocl; 4 with its teeth in mesh with the teeth of the rack 3. A shuttle carrier 6 is slidably mounted on the block 4 and is provided on its under side with teeth .7 which are in mesh with the teeth on the pinions 5, so that when the rack 3 is reciprocated on the lay 1 the shuttle carrier G will be moved back and forth on the race block 4.

As best shown in F ig. 9 the blocks 4 are arranged at intervals along the lay land each shuttle carrier 6 is of such length that it will bridge the space between adjacent blocks 4 when moved by the rack 3. `With this arrangement, the teeth 7 of the carriers (i are always in mesh with either or both of the pinions 5 of the same block 4, or are in mesh with one pinion on each block when bridging the gap therebetween. The several spaces between the blocks 4 are occupied by separate `groups of warp threads 8 which are connected to the loom harness in the usual manner and so constitute the sheds through which the shuttle carriers (i are to be m'oved back and forth. A shuttle holder block 9 is mounted on the lay 1 directly above every alternate race block 4 and a shuttle changing mechanism is adapted to cooperate with each holder as will be hereinafter described.

Referring' again to Figs. 1 and 2, each holder block 9 is provided with a holder 10 which, as best shown in Fig, 3 is formed of a strip of resilient material secured to the block 9 by screws 19n and bent outwardly at its ends to provide oppositely disposed U- shaped portions 11 that are somewhat yieldable. Each portion 11 is provided with a groove 12 that is adapted to receive the end of a plate 13 mounted on the rear face of a shuttle 14. The shuttle 14 is provided with an opening 15 for receiving the filling carrier 16, the bow of the shuttle 14 being extended around the opening 15 in the usual manner to provide a handle 17 by means of which the shuttle may be seized and positioned in the holder 10 by forcingapart the portions 11. When the shuttle 14 is so positioned by the holder 10, it is held against. movement in a plane at right angles to the lay 1. The shuttle 14 is, however, free to be moved downwardly between the portions 11 in the direction of the shuttle carrier G immediately below the block 9.

As best shown in Fig. 4 the carrier 6 is provided on its front face with a recess 18 within which is secured a strip 19 of suitable yielding frictional material, such as leather or libre. The outer face of the strip 19 is substantially1 flush with the surfaces of the carrier 6 beyond the ends of the recess 18. A plate 2O is secured to the carrier G beyond the recess 18 and extends over the recess 18 as indicated at 21. Each end of the shuttle 14 is cut away as indicated at 22 to receive a projecting portion 21 of the plate and the shuttle 14 is further pro-- vided on its rear face with a plate 23 which projects at each end into a cut away portion 22 of the shuttle. As best shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the plate 23 is provided with serrations 24 and the edges of the plate are beveled as indicated at 25. The upper edge of the strip 19 is also beveled as indicated at 2G, for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

As best shown in Fig'. 2 a bracket 27 is mounted at the top of the lay 1 above each holder block 9 and provides a support for a transferer 28, the normal position of which is directly above the shuttle 14 when positioned by the holderl 19. Each transferer 28 is mounted on a spindle 29, surrounded by a spring 30, and terminating at its upper end in a head 31. A rocker arm 32 is pivotally supported between lugs 33 extendingr llpwardly from the bracket 27, one end ot the arm 32 resting' on the head 3l of the transferer 28 and the other end beings; adapted to be engaged by a roller 34. carried on the upper end of a rod The rod 35 is slidably mounted on the lay 1 in bearings 36 and its lower end is provided with a roller 37.

'Referring' to Figs. 1, 2 and 9, a plate 38 is secured to the bottom of the lay 1 and is provided with a dovetailed groove 39, within which is slidably mounted a plate 40. The plate 40 is j novided with spaced. dovetailed ,grooves 41 with-in eacli'ofavhicliis slidably.

mounted a bar 42., each bar being'beveled at its end nearest the roller 37' as indicated .at 42". The bars 42 extend below the breast beam 43 ofthe loom, a portion of which is indicatedfin Fig. 9, thefother ends of the bars 42 terminating in al space between a' pair'of guides 44 extending longitudinally of the 'breast beam' 43.4y As best shown. in

Fig'ylO, la plurality .of blocks are slidably mounted between the guides k44, the blocks beine; divided into groups ofltliree, indicated at 45, 45b and 45c andeach group of blocks being symmetrical about the axis of Aone of the transferrers. The middle bloclret" of eaclig-roup is provi-ded with a handle 46 by at its ends witbliandles@ by means ofKV t which it may be shifted iin `the bearings 49 to moveall of -the blocks 45a' :and 45c yin unison therewith. I

As the lay 1 nieves back and forth during the operation of the loom, the bars 42 will be carri-ed therewith, and at the same time the plate upon which the bars 42 are slidably mounted is moved back and forth inthe slot 39 in the plate 38,*by ,any suitable means,

not shown. The means for moving the plate 40 is preferably coordinatedwith the mea-ns for moving the rack 3 so that the plate will move always inthe saine `direction as the tionI into the path of movement of a bar 42' by means of the handle46, the correspondi shuttle carriers .6. Inasmiich as `the mecha'- nlismfor -movingthe rack 3 is well known tovk those familiar with looms of this type, such i-iiechanisin will not be further described herein.

-iAst-he. lay above described inoven'ient of the plate 40 will cause the -ends ofthebars 42 to first enter the space 4between the left hand and center blocks and 45l, respectively, on one forward beat of the lay and then enter the spaces between the right hand and center blocks 45 and 45h, respectively, onthe next forward beat of the lay. As long as this movement of Athe bars 42 is uninterrupted, `the parts lwill remain in the position shown iii Figs. 2k and 11, and the transferrers 2S will Aremain inoperative. If,"however the middle block 45h of any one group-is moved to the right or tothe left of its normal posiing bar 42 will engagethe. block 45h on the next beat on which the plate 4() is moved to the right or to the left as the case may be,"

whereupon'tli-e bar 42 will be moved away from the breast beam 43. This nioveinent of the bar42 causes beveled .end 42ato .be

f1 moves l'back and forth, the

forced under the roller 37 and to move the rod upwardly, which movement of kthc rod Bti-.causes the rocker arm 32 to engage the head 310i? .the transferrer 28 and force it downwardly against the action of the spring" 3U.` Then this occurs, the transfei'rei' 28 engagies .that portion of the shuttle 14 directly beneath it and forces the shuttle downwardly ont of the holder 10. The movement of the freshshuttle'14 from the holder lOis transmitted to the spent shuttle in thev car` rier :6l and the latter is ejected from the carrier. As the fresh shuttle moves downwardly, the lower beveled edge 25 of the plate 23"engages the beveled edge 26 of the strip 19,'and kas Athe downward movement continues, the shuttle 14 is forced bodily outward. As the ends of the plate 23 engage the projecting portions 21 of the plates 20, the latter aiebeii-t away from the carrier (i and .therefore tend to khold the serratio-ns 24 ofthe plate 23k in close engagement with the strip 19. This frictional contact between the strip 19 and `the many teeth 24 servesto hold the .shuttle'firmly in position on the carrier following` its transfer from the holder 10 by the transferrer v 28.

rFroniithe foregoing, it isapparent that a fresh shuttle may be transferred from a holder to a carrier and an exhausted shuttle 'eiected at .any-time during' the operation of the loom by-moving any one of then'iiddle blocks 45 of any set into the path of movement Vofy a bar 42. rlhe operator may determine in advance, the pick on which the transfer is to occur by moving the block to the riglit or to the left, as desired. Then a block 451 is moved to the right the transfer voccurs on the right hand pick andvice versa.

In case it isdesired to transfer fresh sluittles from` all of the holders 10 at Athe saine time, it is only necessary `to move the rod 47, by means of the handle 50 far eiioupfh to y the right, oi' to the left, to cause all ofthe blocks 45v and 45., carried thereby, to eiiygage all of the bars 42 upon theinext forward beat of the lay, on which theplate 4() is moved tothe y'right or to the left. This will cause all of the transferrei's 21S-to be operated in unison to insert fresh shuttles into ythe'carriers.

In order to insure that the carriers G are `always properly positioned with respect to the holders 10, prior to the transfer of a fresh shuttle to a carrier, l have provided means for positively positioning; each carrier 6 as it comes to rest after its movement to the right or to the left by the rack 3. This arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 7

which shows the rear of a carrier 6 and ,f

shuttle holder block 9 on anenlarged scale. frdumbbell-shaped locking member 51 is secured to the back of the carrier 6 by screws 52,the upper and lower surfaces 53 of which are .adapted to be engaged by rollers 5410erllO iai

ried at the ends of resilient arms 55. The arms are secured to a block 56 on the lay 1 by plates 57 and screws 58 and tend to press the rollers 5-1 into close engagement with the member 51 so that when the carrier is moved to the right or to the left of the position shown, the rollers 54: are forced apart and the arms 55 are placed under considerable tension. As the carrier 6 returns to its normal position, the rollers 511 press closely on the surfaces 53 of the member 51 and tend to always return the carrier to the same position at the end of its movement by the rack 3. In this way, the carriers 6 are aiw ys adapted to come to rest at substantially the same point beneath the holders 1() so that when a fresh shuttle is ejected from a holder 10 it will be properly received by the carrier 6. This positive positioning of the carriers 6 eliminates any possibility of the shuttles jamming, owing to the failure of a carrier to be properly alined with respect to a holder.

Referring to Figs. 12 to 20 inclusive, there is shown a modification of the mechanism for transferring a shuttle from a holder to a car ier. Referring to Fig. 12, it will be seen that the arrangement of the carrier 6 and the holder block 9 on the lay 1 is substantially the same as described with reference to Fig. 2. A transferrer 59 is mounted on a bracket 60 overhanging the block 9 and secured to the upper end of a rod 61. The rod 61 is slidably mounted in a bearing 62 carried by the lay 1 and is surrounded by a spring 63 which tends to force the' rod 61 upwardly and thereby hold the ejector 59 out of engagement with the holder block 9.

As best shown in Fig. 13 the lower end of the rod 61 is threaded to receive a hollow cylindrical sleeve 641. A second rod 65 is received in the lower portion of the sleeve (l-ilf and its upper end is provided with a pin 66 projecting at its ends into a slot 67 provided in the sleeve 64. The lower end of the sleeve 64% terminates in a flange 68 and the sleeve 64 is surrounded by a spring 69 extending between the 'Harige 68 and the pin 66. rlhe spring 69 tends to hold the pin 66 in engagement with the top of the slot 67, so that the rods 61 and 65 are, under normal conditimis, coupled together and are adapted to act as one member.

i'eferrine; to Figs. 'l2 and 14, the rod 65 is slid-ablyr supported in a bearing 70 secured to the lay 1, and tern'iiuates at its lower end in a squared head portion 71. A pin 72 extends through the portion 71 and has mounted thereon rollers 73. A bell crank lever 7-1 pivotally mounted on a vshaft 75 has one arm thereof terminating in a yoke portion 76 which embraces the rod 65 and rests upon the rollers 73. The end of the other arm of the lever 7e' is provided with -ciprocatory a seat 77 which receives a knob 78 provided at one end of a rod 79, slidably mounted on the lay 1 in a bushing 80. The other end of the rod 79 terminates in a head 81 and a spring 82 surrounds that portion of the rod 79 between the bushing` 8O and the head 81. It is to be understood that a separate transferrer 59, together with an actuating mechanism as just described, is provided foreach of the shuttle holders 10, above every alternate carrier 6.

Referring now to Figs. 15 to 17 inclusive, a shaft 83 extends below the breast beam 43 and has mounted thereon a plurality of disks 8-1 which are spaced apart on the shaft 83 by substantially the same distance that separates the heads 81. Each disk 84; is secured to the shaft 83 by means of a key 85 which is received in a slot 86 provided on the shaft 83. Sleeves 87 are provided ou each side of the disk 84 and a flange 88, provided at the end of each sleeve, is held in engagement with the disk 84C by means of a spring 89 surrounding the shaft 83 between a collar 90 and a flange 91, provided at the outer end of each sleeve 87 In thislway each disk 8-1 is normally held in position midway between each pair of collars 90, each disk 84 being adapted to turn with the shaft 83 and being capable of sliding movement thereon against the action of the springs 89.

The shaft 83 is adapted to be given a removement by any suitable means, such for example, as a bell crank lever 92 which is adapted to be oscillated by means of a cam 93 mounted on a rotating shaft 94, although it is obvious that reciprocatory movement may be imparted to the shaft 83 in any other suitable manner. The movement of the shaft 83 is so timed that with the several disks 841- in their normal positions, that is, midway between the collars 90, the shaft 83 may be moved from the position shown in Fig. 18 to the position shown in Fig. 19, while the lay l is making one beat, one backward and one forward. In other words, when the lay 1 makes its backward beat and moves the heads 81 to the position shown in dotted lines' in Fig. 18, the shaft 83 is moved to the right into the position shown in Fig. 19, so that when the lay 1 makes its :forward beat and the heads 8l return to the l'ull line position of Fig. 19, the disks 84- will then been the right hand side of the respective heads 8l. lt is obvious that this moven'ient will. continue without interference between the heads' 81 and the disks 8% so longl as the disks 84- are held centered by the springs 89. and the shuttle changing mechanism will remain inoperative.

In order to separately operate any one of the shuttle changing inechanisms, I provide a pair of pins 95 mounted on opposite sides I Go wardly from the breast beam L13` in substantia'l alinement 'with .a' disk 84; Each pin 95 is vnormally held out got 'the path of movement ot the disk 84, as the flatter is moved back and forthwith the shaft 83 by means ot a spring 97 sni'rouncling the pin between a lugl 98 and an, operating yknob 99. Assuming that the disks 84 occupy the position shown in Fig-y18`, that is, with each disk 811-, to the left vdi 'its corresponding head S1,y it is yobvious that if a right hand knob 99 is'de'pressed, the vend of the pin 95 will project into the pathfot Ymovement cti-ts corresponding disk v84 when the shaft 83 is next moved yto the right. Consequently, when the disk 84 engages thewpin 95, further `movement of the disk 8d will beprevented andthe disk 84: will beheld in the path of movement 4of the approaching hea-d 81 on the next forward beat or' the lay.'` ,It is'obviens thatthis relative movement between the disk 84. andthe shaft 83 ywill' be `permitted by the yielding of the left hand spring 8901i theishattfSS. Then .the head 81. engages the disk 8,4, as the vlaycompletes its forwardy beat, therod 7 9lwilil` be forced into' the llafy 1, thereby turning the lever 7 d in a clockwise direction: This movement of the lever 711` cau'sesa downward movement of the rod- `which is in turn ltransmitted to the rod 61 through the springq) and the sleeve G4', thereby "causing the ktransterrer 59 to engage the shuttle which is in: the holder 10 and torce it downwardly into the shuttle carrier y9, in thesame manner as -described with reference to Fig. 2. The lexi? ble connection betweenthe rods 61 and 6,5,k

provided by the spring 69 prevents the shock ot the limpact between the heads 81 andthe disk Set from being transmitted directly to the transterrer 59, so that the downward torcejexerted bythe latter member is applied evenly to' thelshuttle. From the foregoing, itV is` apparent thatgby de# gnessing' any one of the knobs 99', the corresponding vshuttle changing l'nechanism can be actuated, andthat the operator can select the .pick on which he desires to4 have vthe shuttle change occur. F or instance, it he wants the change to occur on the right hand pick, he' depressesthe right hand knob v99 ot thecorresponding disk 84;, and should he desire to have the change occnron the lett hand pick, he depresses the vleft hand knob 99.

In order that all of the shuttle changing mechanisms may be actuated at once, I provide further means for simultaneously arresting `the movement of `all ot the' disks 811 iny either direction of movement ot the shaft 83. To this end, eachdisk' Seis provided with a notch 100 which is ot snfiici'ent peripheral width to permit' thepassage therethrough of a prir ot `fingers10'1 and 102 when the disk `84: moves with the shaft 83.' Asbest shown in Fig.' 1G, the ngers 101 and 102 are secured to opposite sides of the member 9G and are provided with downwardly projecting end portions which are adapted to pass through the notch 100 as the disk 8iinoves backand forth. rWhen it is desired to actuate all `ot the shuttle changingmechanisms at yonce, it is only necessary for the loperator to turn aliandle 103, provided at the lend of the shaft 83, through a small Aangle,.in either a clockwise direction vorcounter clockwise direction,

-thereby turning all of the disks 84 withrespect to the `fingers 101 and 102. When the disks 84 are so turned it is obvious that either the lingers 101 or the fingers' 102 will nolonger register with the notches 100', so that when the disks 84 are moved tothe right' or to the llett with the shaft-83, one

set of `fingers 101 or 102 will engage the edges ofthel disks 811L and hold them in such position that they will be engagedby rall ot the heads' 81 on the next forward beat 83fin agclockwise direction, the fingers 101 will engage the disks r8-1 on the right hand pick, while if he 'turns the shaft 83 in a connteicloclzwise direction, the fingers 102 will engage the disks 84 on the lei't hand pick.

shown on an enlarged scale a mechanism for limiting 'the downward vmovement of a shuttle as it is kpositioned in the shuttle 4carrier by the' trans'ferrer 59. vA pair of stops, each comprising a head 1011, and a shank 105,l extending through the blockd, are nornially held i-n an inoperative position by means ot springs 10G surrounding'the shank 1:05. In this 'position the heads 104- are clear of the `lower edge lot the shuttle 1i which is positioned on the carrier 6. An y actnatingmember 107 is pivotally mounted at 108 on the lay k1 and is normally held in a slightly inclined position by the ends o'l the'shanks 105 pressing against the same u-nder the torce exerted by the springs106,` The member 107 is providedA with an npwardly extending portion 109 which is normally located in the path of movement of a` pin 110 secured to the rod 61'. Vlien the rod 61 moves downwardly, causing thev transferrer 59 to transfer a shuttle from the holder 110 to the carrier 6, the pin 110 is adapted to engage the 'portion 109 `of the actuating member 107 at the moment when the treshshnttle is positioned in the carrier 6. 'lhe'm'ember 107- is thereupon.turned Referring now to Figs. 20 and`21, kthere is v itsy upon its pivot 10S to cause the heads 10A/t to be moved outwardly far enough to prevent further downward movement of the shuttle 14 after it has been completely seated in the carrier 6. Upon the upward movement of the rod (31, following a shuttle change, the springs 10G will return the heads 104C and the actuating member 107 to the position shown in lull lines in Fig. 20, so that the heads 10ii will not prevent the spent shuttle from being ejected upon the Occurrence ot the next shuttle change. It is apparent that the above described mechanism for limiting the downward movement of a shuttle in the carrier 6, may be applied to either of the constructions shown in Fig. 2 or Fig. 12.

From the foregoing it is apparent that l have provided an improved shuttle changing mechanism for narrow ware looms which is extremely edective in its operation, inasmuch as the 'torce for causing the shuttlc changes is derived directly from the movement of the lay. Furthermore, my improved shuttle changing mechanism is entirely select-ive in its mode ot operation, inasmuch as the operator can cause the actuation ot any one of the individual shuttle changing mechanisms on either' a right hand or a left hand pick, or he can cause the simultaneous operation of all the shuttle changing mechanisms, also on either pick. In this way, the operator can cause one halt of all the shuttles on the loom to be changed on a right hand pick, at one time, and at some time later can cause the remainder ot the shuttles to be changed on a left hand pick. rThe arrangement whereby only one half of the shuttles are changed at one time, is believed to be particularly desirable from the stand point of loom operation, for it enables the weaver to operate among several looms to better advantage than it all ot the shuttles were to be changed at one time. Obviously, only one halt ot the. total nun'iber oit shuttles in the loom have to be. replaced at one time, following a shuttle change, so that the operator is unlikely to be engaged with any one loom ttor any considerable length of time, and is thus able to give his attention to the other looms in case ot an emergency.

l have further provided an improved shuttle holder for use with each changing` n'iechanism, whereby it is possible for the operator to easily place fresh shuttles in the holders following shuttle changes and while the lay is moving. The shuttle positioning and holding` means on the moving carrier are also particularly effective, inasmuch as it firmly holds the shuttle` in position while the carrier is operating, owing to the cooperation between the resilieut^ plates and the trietional contact obtained bctween the serrai ions on the back et the. shuttle and the strip on the carrier. My improved means or limiting downward movement of the shuttle in the carrier when a fresh shuttle is inserted, is also believed to be particularly advantageous, inasmuch as it prevents the newly inserted shuttles from getting out ol position in the carrier and thereby interrupting the operation of the loom.

While l have shown my improved shuttle changing mechanism as being partly operated by hand, it is not so limited, but is capable of being rendered entirely automatic in its operation, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. For example, means may be provided for automatically causing operation of all of the transferrers after the shuttles have made a predetermined number ot picks, such an arrangement being fully shown and described in my copending patent application, Serial No. 567,719, filed June 12, 1922. I desire therefore that only such limitations be imposed on my invention as may come within the scope of the appended claims.

I claiml. ln a shuttle changing mechanism for looms, the combination with a lay, and a shuttle holder containing a shuttle and a shuttle carrier mounted on said lay, ot a transferrer adapted to move a shuttle from said holder to said carrier, and means operated by the movement ot' said lay for actuating said transferrer.

2. In a shuttle changing mechanism tor looms, the combination with a lay, and a shuttle holder containing a shuttle and a shuttle carrier mounted on said lay, of a transferrer adapted to move a shuttle from said holder to said carrier, and an actuating member for said transterrer adapted to be operated by movement of the lay.

3. vlfn a shuttle changing` mechanism for looms, the combination with a lay, a plurality ot shuttle holders containing` shuttles and a plurality ot shuttle carriers mounted on said lay and a plurality ot transterrers, each adapted to move a shuttle from a holder to a carrier, of means for operating said transterrers, either separately or collectively.

f1. In a shuttle changing mechanism for looms, the combination with a lay, a plurality of shuttle holders containing shuttles and a plurality of shuttle carriers mounted on said lay and a plurality of transterrers, each adapted to move a shuttle :trom a holder to a carrier, ot means for operating said transterrers either separately or collectively on any desired pick of the loom.

5. In a shuttle changing mechanism for looms, the combination with a lay, a plurality ot shuttle holders containing shuttles and a plurality of shuttle carriers mounted on said lay and a plurality ot transterrers,

each adapted tormove a lsl-'iuttile trom 1a holder to a carlrier,`-of 'means operated #by 1the imovcment oi the y--lay `tor operating said ltransterrers either separately or collectively.

j G. In a shuttle changing,mechanism i'or looms, fthe combination witlia lay, a pluraliity of shuttle holders containing .shuttles y and a 'plurality oitl shuttlefcarriers mounted yon ysaid lay and a plurality -oi transferrers, eachadapted to 'move a shuttle from a holder to a carrier, of a plurality of Jactuating members ttor said transrl'errers, each movable with the lay `and :adapted to operate a transfer-rer upon encountering a member iixed with respect to said lay.

7. `I n a shuttle changing mechanism for looms, the .combination with a lay, a plurality of shuttle holders containing shuttles and a plurality of shuttle carriers mounted on said lay and a plurality of tran-sferrers, each' adapted to move a shuttle from a holder to a carrier', of 4a plurality of actuating members for said transferrers, each moving with the lay `and a plurality of members ixed with respect to the lay and adapted to be selectively placed in the path of movement oi: saidactuatingmembers to operate said transierrers, either separately or collectively. i

8. In a shuttle changing mechanism -or looms, the combination with a lay, ashuttle holder containing a shuttle and a shuttle carrier mounted on said lay and a transferrer for moving a shuttle from said holder to said carrier, o'f'means for positively po- Asitioning said shuttle in said carrier.

9. In a shuttle changing'mechanism for looms, the combination with a lay, a shuttle holder containing ashuttle and a shuttle cari rier mounted on said lay and a transferrer ior moving a shuttle yfrom said holder to said carrier, of meansfor positively limiting the downward movement of the shuttle in the carrier... p n

10. In a shuttle changing mechanism for looms, the combinathm with a lay, a shuttle holder containinga shuttle and a shuttle carrier mounted on said lay and a transferrer iting the downward for moving a shuttle from said holderto said carrier, of means for automatically interposing a stop below said carrier for limmovement of the shuttle therein. f y l l1. In a shuttle changing mechanism 'for looms, the combination with a lay,a shuttle holder containing a shuttle and a shuttle carrier mounted on said'lay and aV transferrer for moving a shuttlefrom said holder to said carrier, ofr means for automatically placing a stop below said carrier before the shuttle reaches the end of its downward movement kby the ,transferren y l2. In a shuttle changing mechanism for looms, the combination with a lay and a shuttle holder containing a shuttle and a` -sliultt'le ca-rrfier mounted ion Asaid laf-5B Oi' .a 'tifansieifrer :adapted to move :a :shuttle `stroni said holdery `to said carrier, ,an actuating jmemrber kfor said t'ra'nsteriser-.adwptelto be xtransiferer :adapted to move a shuttle from said holderl to said carrier, an actuating member ,for said transferrer carried by said lay and adapted to be operated by its engagement with a rigid member and a yielding connection between saidtransferrer and said actuating member. c

14. lIn a shuttle changing mechanism for looms, the combination lwith a lay provided with a movable shuttle carrier and a stationary shuttle holder, of ashuttle provided atits ends withprojecting portions adapted to coact with said holder and on its back with a plate extending longitudinally thereof and adapted to be in frictional engagement with said carrier.

l5. In a shuttle changing mechanism for looms, the combination with a lay provided with a plurality of; shuttle carriers containing shuttles'and a plurality oi shuttle trans-r ferring mechanisms, of means for selectively actuating said mechanisms separately, or for. actuating said mechanisms, in unison, to cause the changing of a predetermined number of the shuttles carried by the lay.

16. In a shuttle changing mechanisnifor looms, the combination with a lay provided with a plurality of shuttlecarriers containing shuttles and a plurality of shuttle transferring mechanisms, of means for separately vactuating said mechanisms on any desired pick of the loom and for actuating said mechanisms in unison on either pick to cause the changing oi a predetermined number of the shuttles carried by the lay.

17. In a shuttle changingmechanism,for

looms, a lay, a relatively stationary shuttle y kholder carried by said lay, said holder comprising ka piecel of flat metal bent into U Ashaped form with notches for the reception of projecting portions of a shuttle. y

18. In a shuttle changing mechanism :for

looms, a lay, a race block on saidlay, a shuttle holder vattached to said race block comprising a piece of flat metal, the end portions being first turned substantially at right angles to the body portion thereof and then doubled over towards each other, and notches in said doubled over the reception of a shuttle.

l19. In a shuttle changing mechanism for looms, a lay, a race block on said lay, a shuttle holder attached vto said race block, said shuttle holder being made of spring portion for material and being provided with notches for the reception of the ends of plates disposed at the extremities of a shuttle.

20. In a shuttle changing mechanism for looms, a lay, a race block on said lay, a shuttle holder attached to said race block, said shuttle holder being made of spring material and being provided With vertical notches -for the reception of sharpened plates disposed at the extremities of a shuttle.

2l. In a shuttle changing mechanism for looms, a lay, a race block on said lay, a shuttle holder attached to said race block,

said shuttle holder being made of spring material and being provided with vertical notches for the reception of sharpened plates disposed at the extremities ot' a shuttle, and said shuttle holder being adapted to resist the Withdrawal of a. shuttle in a horizontal direction, but allowing it to he 'forced down 20 in a vertical direction.

Dated this rd day of September, 1921.

GEORGE CROMPTON, Je. Vitnesses PENELOPE COMBERBACH, NELLIE VVHALEN. 

